ASR’s Wrath (By Archanasuresh) (Thanked: 93 times)

ASR’s
Wrath

Adil
looked down at his notepad and said, “Your car is ready to leave to AR
warehouse. And the presentation by designing unit is preponed by fifteen
minutes as per your instructions.”

“Where
were you? I asked you to report by 9.59 am with the papers! What’s the time
now?” she asked angrily.

“Your
father said that the papers are unnecessary and also that you would keep out
during the meeting. So I stopped by a restaurant and had my breakfast. The time
now is 10:25 am! Your visit is due by 10:30 am so I’m right at time, mam!” he
said politely.

She
took a deep breath and took her purse. “Let’s go” she said and he followed her
trail.

.

.

.

.

6
pm

Raizada
Mansion

“I’m
back” Esha called out and slumped on the couch in the living room.

Yara
appeared from the kitchen with a cup of coffee. “Here you go sissy” she
forwarded it and sat next to her. “A secret” Yara whispered, “Dad is angry at
you. And so is chachu, chachi, bua and Varun bhaiyya”

“Why?”
Esha frowned.

“I
don’t know. They didn’t tell me. When I returned home at 4 they were talking
about you. Dad said that he will talk you out of it!”

“Out
of what?” Esha frowned and sipped the coffee.

“You’re
back?”

The
sisters looked up to find Arnav with a stern face. Beside him was Akash chachu
with a same expression.

“What
is it dad?” Esha stood up.

“I
don’t know. You tell me” Arnav walked to her and demanded.

Esha
looked at Yara who stood worried.

“Working
time of AR is 9 am to 5 pm. What time is it now?” Akash asked.

Esha
rolled her eyes and said, “Oh so the problem is that I’m late by an hour?” she
laughed and said, “You know I always stay up to 6! I have lots of work to do!”

“And
other employees? When do they leave?” Arnav asked crossing his arms.

“5
pm. As per the time” Esha said frowning, “Why?”

“Why?
You asking me why?” Arnav said angrily and Esha stumbled back in worry.

“Dad
what’s wrong?” she whispered.

“Your
assistant stayed up late at the office for some report you demanded. He slept
at your office! And bingo! The report you wanted him to do was already
submitted by Aman. Explain” Akash said angrily.

Esha
sighed and looked away.

“Your
uncle asked for an explanation Esha” Arnav said angrily.

“I
wanted the report by 12. It’s not my fault that he is slow and took his time
till 4 am. He could’ve gone back home!” Esha said shrugging.

“SO
THAT’S IT” Arnav screamed, “YOU HAD ONE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES STAY UP LATE AND MADE
HIM SLEEP AT HIS OFFICE FOR A REPORT THAT’S ALREADY MADE! PLUS HE IS YOUR
ASSISTANT NOT A PEON THAT YOU WOULD HAVE HIM PICK UP PASTA FOR YOU!”

Yara
gulped at her father’s anger and looked at Esha who stood taken aback as well.

“Ah
so he recited everything to you! What is he? 4?” Esha scoffed.

Arnav
glared at her and Esha bit her tongue, “Sorry” she mumbled.

“Did
he leave for home?” Akash asked.

Esha
looked down.

“DID
HE?” Arnav shouted.

“No”
she said slowly.

“Why?
Employees leave at 5, you said” Akash asked angrily.

“I
asked him to review the designs made by.....” Esha was cut off by Arnav, “That
is usually done by head designer isn’t it? And then the best designs are
forwarded to you and you review it personally!”

“He
is a great designer, as he claims, so I.....”

“Couldn’t
you have him do that tomorrow during work hours?” Akash asked.

“What
other works have you given him?” Arnav asked.

“Dad,
chill” Esha cried in frustration, “He is my assistant and I give him jobs to
do. Sometimes he has to take up the job of designer, accountant, manager and
many positions! He is the one I turn to when I need something! The same like
you and Aman uncle!”

“Well
I never had Aman stay up late at office. I never asked him to re do a report
which is already done. I didn’t have him sleep at office. And I didn’t treat
him like a piece of dirt!” Arnav said angrily, “So don’t even compare what I
did to what you are doing!”

“Well
you had mom work the whole night on a stupid typewriter didn’t you?” Esha
shouted, “You had her go into a ruined guest house! You almost killed her! You
treated her worse than what I’m doing now! You married her for 6 months and
tortured her. Insulted her, crushed her right under your feet and now....” she
couldn’t complete when she felt a slap.

Yara
gasped seeing her Akash chachu slapping her sister.

Esha
held her cheek and looked at her uncle in shock. Her vision went to her father
who stood stiff as a pole. His eyes were red and fists clenched. If she’s not
wrong, she could see some tears rolling down his cheek.

“You’re
right”

Esha
glanced back at her uncle hearing his voice, “Your father did send her to a
guest house which was ruined. She could’ve died. But that wasn’t intentional.
And when he heard that she hasn’t returned home, he rushed back to the guest
house. Risking his own life he saved her. He has insulted her, yes. But he was
always there for her. He paid her father’s medical expenses even though he had
insulted her a few minutes prior to it. He never had her run for pasta or
pizzas. Although he was irked by her dressing he never forced her to wear
anything out of her beliefs. Yes, he married her for six months. It was a grave
mistake but he let go off his ego and apologized and rectified his mistake. So
don’t even compare yourself with your father, because you’re nothing like him!
He was arrogant and ruthless but he had a heart. While you are just a spoilt
brat! Now before you get any more slaps, GO TO YOUR ROOM!”

.

.

.

.

“What
are you doing?” Ana asked sitting by her
brother’s side on his bed.

“Ah
my dress!” she squealed.

He
smiled and continued sketching the saree when she said, “Thread works, I love
thread works”

“I
know that” he said rolling his eyes.

“Bhaiyya,
we should give the design at least 12 days before the engagement. Today is 11th
and function is on...”

“22nd
I know! Don’t worry....I’ll set everything right!” he said rubbing his eyes.

“Are
you tired?” she asked.

“Nah
I’m fine!”

“Waise
when did you leave this morning? We didn’t see you leaving” Ana said.

“I
left early to...meet a friend” he said lying the fact that he had actually left
at night and stayed up at office.

“What’s
the colour of this dress?” she asked smiling cheekily.

“You
know what the colour is” he rolled his eyes.

“Pink”
she squealed.

He
chuckled and she said, “Listen, I want bead works on blouse”

He
hummed.

“And.....”

“Ana,
I know your taste!” Adil said irritated.

“Of
course you know” Ana said cheekily and ruffled his hair.

“Go
away” he cried.

“No”
she squealed and pulled his hair.

“Ana”
he called out.

“I’m
gonna miss you bhaiyya” she said softly and hugged him from side.

“I
won’t” he said rolling his eyes, “I’ll be finally at peace!”

“Haww”
she gasped and his arm.

“Do
you like them? Varun’s family?” he asked smiling.

“So
much” she said happily, “Papa and Ma are so kind and understanding. Arnav uncle
is so cool. Anjali bua and Yara are so loving. And then is Esha di, my best
friend!”

He
raised his eyebrow and she said smiling, “I know you dislike her but she is the
best! Varun is really close to her and she was the first person to know about
us. At first she was a bit rude and asked pointed questions but once she
realized that I’m no harm to Varun, she became nice. We go for shopping, talk
for hours and hours....she is the sister I never had!”

“Oh
so Moron Esha has a soft side too!” Adil scoffed.

“She
is very nice bhaiyya. Once you get to know her, she is awesome!” Ana said.

“I
like Adil” Yara said, “He is so good at his work and very kind too. Why does di
hate him?”

Arnav
smiled and said, “He hurt her ego. And the greatest thing Esha possess, other
than her anger, is ego!”

“Why
does everyone compare you and her dad?” Yara asked, “Why am I compared to mom?”

“Nobody
is like another person Yara. Esha is arrogant and ruthless businesswoman. Her
brilliance resembles mine, that’s all. She is a completely different person And
so are you. You have Khushi’s cheerfulness and interest in cooking. But beyond
that, you’re a person of your own!” Arnav said,

Yara
smiled sadly and asked, “Do I cook well? Like her?”

Arnav
tasted the kheer and said, “Not bad. But not too good! And like her.....well I haven’t
eaten anything that tasty after her death!”

Yara
took a deep breath and said, “Sometimes I feel jealous of di and Varun bhaiyya.
They saw mamma. They have memories of her while I have none! All I have is her
photograph and the stories you have told me!”

“Jealous
of Esha” Arnav chuckled sadly, “She watched her mother die.”

“How
did she die dad?” Yara asked.

“We
told you right? Accident” Arnav said his face becoming hard, “We were returning
home after your birth. You were on Esha’s lap in the backseat. Khushi was next
to her. A drunk driver with his lorry came across us and before he could crash
our car, Khushi pushed Esha, and you, out. Due to the impact I fell out of the
car but she got stuck up inside it. I lost consciousness since I hit my head on
a rock but Esha...she watched the car burn into flames.”

“Is
that the truth?” Yara whispered.

“Yeah”
Arnav said.

“It
doesn’t feel so” she said and looked at her father’s face. His usual charm had
faded away and was replaced by a pale colour.

“That’s
only you have to know” he said hoarsely and looked up at the sky.

“So,
we need to use the vegetables before they starts to rot. And here we have, Yara’s
special!” Yara said widening her arms at the dishes at the dining table.

“Wow”
Anjali cried and Payal inhaled the scent.

“Papa,
compliment her!” Varun cried at Akash who was looking at the stairs.

“Esha
and bhai?” he asked to Yara.

“Papa
will come now and di...she is not opening her door” Yara said.

Akash
sighed and said, “I shouldn’t have slapped her!”

“You
did right” Varun said, “She shouldn’t have said those things to chachu!”

“It’s
our fault” Akash said looking at Anjali, “We were always easy on her. Always
took her arrogance and attitude as a result of witnessing her mother’s death.
We should’ve taught her better!”

Anjali
nodded and said, “Chotte has never raised her voice on her. You too! She must
be seriously hurt!”

“I
should go talk to her” Akash said standing up when Arnav came in.

“I’ll
go” Arnav said, “I want to have a talk with her. Yara, can you make two plates?”

“Yes
dad” Yara said and took out two plates, setting her father’s and sister’s
dinner.

.

.

.

.

.

“Esha....open
the door” Arnav called out knocking the door. Yara stood behind with a tray
containing two plates of food.

“Di.....”
she called out.

No
reply.

“Esha”
Arnav called out again and knocked harder this time.

“Either
you open the door or I open it with a spare key” Arnav said.

The
door clicked open and Esha looked at them.

Arnav
looked at his daughter with the same clothes she wore to office, her eyes red
and cheeks strained with tears. He looked at Yara who walked in and placed the
tray on the table.

“Thanks
dear. Go have dinner” he said and Yara nodded.

Esha
walked to the bed and sat down while Arnav closed the door.

He
sat on the couch, before the table, and said, “Yara has prepared a feast. She
has made you tomato rice, your favourite! And yeah, malai kofta my favourite!”

He
looked at her who was looking down and sniffling.

“Esha,
come and have dinner! You cannot have Yara’s efforts go in vain” he said
chuckling.

Esha
stood up and walked to the couch. Sitting next to Arnav, she took the glass of
juice and sipped it.

“Here”
he took her plate and forwarded a spoon of tomato rice. She looked at him and
said, “I’m sorry”

He
said nothing but pushed the spoon into her mouth. She chewed the rice and he
kept the plate down.

“Sorry
for what? For what you did to Adil or....”

“For
insulting you....and mamma” she whispered.

He
sighed and said, “What you said was right. I did treat her badly. I released
her video that caused so much trouble to her family! I have nothing to justify
that. But Esha, do you know the reason why I shared my deeds with you?” he
looked at her who nodded no.

“I
didn’t want you to repeat the same mistakes that I did. I have done many wrong
things. Khushi was an angel to forgive me. Actually I never hated her. I loved
her from the very first time I saw her. But I was scared of love. I was scared
about my feelings so I pushed her away. I hurt her and made her away from me! I
had.....leave it! It’s all past. But seeing you following the same path, with
more arrogance and cruelty, is hurting me. I didn’t expect this from you. Not
after I told you about what I did to your mother. You’ve disappointed me....and
everyone!”

Esha
looked down and bit her lip, holding the tears.

“Mamma
too?” she whispered.

“Yes”
he said.

“I....I
hate him” she said in tears, “And I really don’t know why. He is talented,
skilled but....he always challenges me. I feel like he is a threat to what I
am! Like, from the first day he has this I-am-not-scared-of-anyone
attitude; he is different from every other employee and.....”

“And
being middle class doesn’t help” Arnav completed.

“I
hate when people crosses me. Like he is working under me and he shouldn’t.....”

“Esha”
Arnav said calmly, “He is an employee not a slave.”

She
looked at him and he said, “It’s your company now. You need designs, clothes
that will sell, models and many other people and your employees are actually
helping you. You cannot do anything without their efforts. So they are the real
bosses! Once you realize this, running any company is a cake walk!”

“So
you mean I should give total freedom to do whatever he wish!” she said.

“As
far as that doesn’t cause any harm. If he harassing any other employee you have
all rights to fire him. But judging him on the basis of his ringtone or shoes
is wrong. Trust me I have done it before and I still blame myself for that!” he
said.

Taking
a pause he said, “Being a boss and
being a tyrant is different Esha. BE
A BOSS! It took me years to become one. You haven’t seen me before Khushi
entered. I was so....so rude to my employees that everyone hated me. But then Akash
joined AR. I started to see how the employees feel and the work load on them
when I saw my brother working hard. I started to mellow down a bit. And then
your mother came in! I changed a lot. And slowly my employees started loving
and respecting me. It can be heard from their good morning Esha. The way they wish you. Wishing out of fear and
wishing out of respect is different. It took me long to earn that respect. I
don’t want you to take that long.” He patted her shoulder and took his plate.

“Will
you forgive me?” she whispered.

Arnav
smiled as he tore a paratha and dipped it in malai kofta. “I was never angry at
you to forgive you. I was hurt...but I can never be angry at you!”

“Why
are you so good?” Esha cried.

Arnav
chuckled and forwarded the paratha to her, “Try it!”

She
opened her mouth and chewed the paratha.

“Every
food has different tastes. We love some but that doesn’t mean that the others
are bad!” he said smiling.

She
smiled faintly and said, “Good metaphor”

“Give
him a chance” he said chuckling, “He is talented, I know. You wouldn’t have
hired him if he was not!”

Moron Esha or Mild Esha? (By Archanasuresh) (Thanked: 101 times)

Moron
Esha or Mild Esha?

.

.

.

.

9.00
am

AR
Fashions

“Meeting
with Mr. Malhotra at 10:00 am, an introductory address to our new interns, from
Fashion Institute Delhi at, 11:30 am. Mr. Samuels has promised to discuss about
the terms of our deal with his company over lunch at 12:30 pm at Blue Orchid
restaurant. Meeting with the Russian clients at 3:00 pm” Adil finished and
looked up from his notepad.

Esha
nodded and said, “Forward me the Malhotra deal file before the meeting. You
ought to attend it with me”

“Sure
mam”

“And
the interns....pre-pone the address to 11 and book me an appointment with Dr.
Mehra at 11:30” Esha said.

“Yes
mam” he said noting it down. He forwarded the file to her and said, “These are
the designs you asked me to review yesterday. The first two are brilliant but
the remaining are very dull and not appealing. And most of them are already
introduced styles so there is nothing creative in it. The designers have just
experimented different colours on already existing styles”

Esha
took the file and nodded “I’ll see to it!”

“Anything
else mam?” he asked raising an eyebrow.

“No,
you can leave” she said and buried herself into the file.

Adil
frowned and walked out of the room.

.

.

“WOW!”
Adil exclaimed as he sat on his chair, “No insults, no work, no abuses thrown
at my face! Did she hit her head somewhere?”

He
looked at his notepad. Oh yes, appointment.

Opening
his laptop he browsed through the document of important contacts shared with
him. Dr. Mehra........ah yes! Here it is!

Dr.
Priya Mehra.

Taking
his office phone, he dialled the number.

“Hello,
neurology department, city hospital” a female voice
greeted.

Neurology?

“Umm....hello
mam, I’m calling from AR Fashion house. Can I get an appointment of Dr. Mehra
at 11:30 am today?”

“Sorry Dr. Mehra is packed for the day”

“No
appointments are possible today?” he asked, “Err...my boss Ms. Raizada specifically
wanted it to be today at 11:30”

“No
it’s not....wait Ms. Raizada you said?”

“Err...yes”

“Let
me talk to Dr. Mehra. I’ll get back to you in five minutes”

“Ok
mam thank you”

He
kept the phone down and frowned. What’s the deal with Esha and neurology?

He
looked down at the notepad and frowned. She has met the doctor yesterday too.

He
shrugged off and took his phone. Dialling a number he said, “Stephy, this is Adil.
Bring me the Malhotra deal file.”

“Ok
sir”

“And
inform the intern head that Ms. Raizada’s address to interns is preponed to 11!”

“Sure
sir”

“Thank
you”

He
kept the phone down and was about to bury himself down into work when the phone
rang.

“Hello”

“Hello,
this is from the neurology department City Hospital.”

“Ah
yes, tell me mam”

“Dr.
Mehra has agreed to the appointment. Ms. Raizada can meet her at 11:30, sharp!”

“Thank
you mam”

He
kept down the phone and his buzzer buzzed

“Oh
yes, Moron Esha calling” he said smirking, “Wonder what abuse is she gonna hurl
at me!”

.

.

“Yes
mam” he said.

“Sit down” she said looking up from the
laptop.

“I’m
sorry?”

“Adil,
sit down!”

Adil!
That sounded nice from her!

He
sat down and looked at her in confusion.

“Err...I....me...”
she stammered and he gaped at her. What! Moron Esha and stammering!

“Ummm.....would
you like to go back to the fashion designing unit?” she asked.

“You’re
demoting me?” he asked.

“That’s
what you wanted right?” she asked.

“Is
this because I told your father that you’re overburdening me? You’re demoting
me because of that?” he asked.

She
shrugged and said, “If you wish you can return to designing!”

“Umm...Esh...mam,
if every day is gonna be like this morning, I don’t mind working under you. I
do have a strong dislike towards you but I’m a professional. I think I can
learn so much things if I’m your PA. Like I can use my designing skills by
reviewing designs and pointing out suggestions. Sometimes I become an
accountant by going through reports....if only you’re a bit easy on me, I would
love to work as your PA”

She
nodded and said, “So you don’t want a transfer?”

“If
you intend to make me work overnight and use me as a servant then, yes. But if
the atmosphere is like today morning, that’s just few minutes before, then I don’t
need a transfer!”

“Fine,
you can continue” she said nodding.

“Thank
you mam” he said smiling.

She
nodded and looked at her watch.

“Malhotra
file will be here before the meeting” he said.

“Appointment
with Dr. Mehra?”

“Set
mam. You can meet her at 11:30, sharp” he said and she nodded.

“You
can leave” she said and he nodded walking away.

.

.

“Hmmm”
he hummed swirling his chair.

“Looks
like something happened at home!” he said to himself, “What made Moron Esha turn
into Mild Esha? God is this a sign? A silence before storm?”

He
took his mobile and dialled his sister.

“Ha bhaiyya”

“Did
Varun say something.....something that happened at his house?”

“About Esha?”

“Yeah”

“Why didn’t you tell me that she
was treating you bad at work?”

“Woh
sab ****o. What did he say?”

“He said that papa slapped her.
Arnav chachu talked to her!”

“Slap!”
he gasped.

“Yeah. She cried a lot, he said.
Arnav chachu made her understand her faults, I think. Is she behaving well now?”

“Yeah
she is very calm!”

“Good”
she said, “Acha bhaiyya, I gotta go. I’m
busy here at work”

“Ok
bye”

So
that’s it! That’s the reason!

.

.

.

“Come
in” she said and Adil walked in. “Yes?” she looked at him.

“The
Malhotra file” he said forwarding it.

She
nodded and took it. She said, “In the meeting we would be discussing about the
terms of the deal and the designs we could have in our merger show. So you need
to take notes!”

He
nodded.

“And
pay attention to every word he says. He is a cunning man. Will try to trap us
in his web of lies. So beware. I’m telling you this because this is your first
time” she said and he nodded.

“Anything
else?” she asked.

“I’m
sorry” he said.

She
kept the file down and looked at him. “Why?”

“I’m
sorry that your uncle.....slapped you because of me! I didn’t want any of those
to happen! Please don’t misunderstand me!” he said.

He
looked at her clenched face. She looked away and took a deep breath. “It’s fine”
she said.

“I
didn’t complain to your father, if you think so. I just ranted out my
frustration and...”

The Lehenga (By Archanasuresh) (Thanked: 92 times)

The Lehenga

“Saree
for Yara” he said and kept the book aside. Varun sat on the bed and looked at
the book. “Wow, awesome” he cried.

Arnav
smiled.

“How
are your preparations going on?” Arnav asked.

“Of
what? Marriage or test?” Varun asked.

“Both”

“Marriage....I
don’t know. Mom and dad are busy planning. I don’t know what the groom is
supposed to do! Test....well physical test is cleared and the final interview
is within four days...so I’m stressed! I hope I get through it! Dad would be
disappointed if I fail!”

“You
will get through” Arnav said, “You worked hard for this! You left the job at AR
to be a police officer!”

Varun
smiled and nodded, “There is a problem. If I get selected I’ll have to go for
training. That’s the main reason why I put forward the marriage matter. I want
to marry Ana before I leave!”

“What’s
the problem then?”

Varun
chuckled and said, “I might not be able to see her...and you all too!”

“Don’t
worry, you guys will make it!” Arnav said patting his shoulder.

“What’s
the deal with Esha and Dr. Mehra, the neurosurgeon at city hospital?” Adil
asked suddenly.

Aman
stopped eating and looked at him shocked. “How do you know?”

“She
asked me to book an appointment! She has gone there and didn’t return but left
me a message to cancel every appointments of today” Adil said.

“Don’t
tell ASR” Aman said.

“Okay”
Adil said frowning.

“No
one, I mean. No one should know” Aman said seriously.

“Is
there anything wrong?” Adil asked.

“Nothing
you should know” Aman said and looked down to his pizza.

.

.

.

.

“Daaaaaaad”
Yara screamed as she entered his room.

“What
the! What happened?” Arnav and Varun jumped from the bed alarmed.

“Uh
nothing wrong” Yara smiled cheekily.

Arnav
clutched his heart and said, “You could’ve given me an attack Yara” Varun made
him sit on the bed and gave him a glass of water. He looked at Yara and
scolded, “Your father is growing old Yara. Don’t do such stunts again!”

“Sorry”
Yara bit her lip and looked down.

“It’s
ok. Come here!” Arnav forwarded his arm and she ran to him. She had her arms
tied to her back.

“What
are you hiding?” Arnav asked.

“Can.....Can
I....Can I wear this for Varun bhaiyya’s engagement?” Yara asked nervously
showing the dress she had in her hands.

“Wow”
Varun cried looking at the beautiful dress, “It’s beautiful! Where did you get
this from?”

“Found
this on maasi’s wardrobe. I asked her and she told....that this is mamma’s....”
Yara finished nervously and Varun looked at Arnav.

Arnav
was staring the red-blue lehenga.

Images
of him dragging her up the mandir steps flashed before his eyes.

The
shock in her eyes!

The
six months contract!

The
insults from family.

The
slap from Garima.

The
hurt look from Payal.

The
broken look from Anjali.

The
disbelief on Nani.

Her
tears!

The
way she clutched the mangalsutra and broke down before him.

The
way she held his collar demanding answers.

Sleeping
alone in the cold at poolside!

Being
kicked out of her own house!

Her
broken heart!

“Dad”
Yara whispered and Arnav forwarded his arm.

Yara
handed him the lehenga and Arnav said hoarsely, blinking his tears, “I’ll
design you a sari or lehenga.....whatever you want”

“Sari”
she said looking down.

He
clutched the lehenga and nodded.

“Chachu”
Varun whispered and held his shoulder, “Are you okay?”

Arnav
nodded and said, “Leave me alone for a while”. He stood up and walked to the poolside
clutching the lehenga close to his heart.

Yashi and Sara? Nah, its Yara! (By Archanasuresh) (Thanked: 88 times)

Yashi and Sara? Nah, its Yara!

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.

“What
happened?” Esha asked as she slumped on the couch. Walking into Raizada mansion
and having Yara’s hot cup of tea with hop gossips is something Esha always look
forward to, although she never admits it aloud. But her sister’s dull face that
evening made her frown and shake off her ego to ask what happened.

“I....I
hurt dad” Yara whispered.

“What?
Why? How?” Esha sat up.

“I
asked him whether I can wear mamma’s lehenga for Varun bhaiyya’s engagement”
Yara said slowly, tears brimming in her eyes.

“Which
lehenga?”

“Red
and blue lehenga!”

Esha
sighed and said, “Yara, papa has many memories of her. They are the only things
that keeps him sane! But not every memory is pleasant. Although that lehenga
looks beautiful, it was when mamma wore it that she cried the most! That day is
a black day in papa’s life! Although the life after that seemed blissful he
never forgave himself for mamma’s tears on that day!”

“Was
it that day that they got married? Six months?” Yara asked slowly.

Esha
nodded.

“Oh
god” Yara whispered, “I’ve hurt him beyond extent! He...”

“It’s
okay. You didn’t mean to” Esha whispered and hugged her sister tight, “Don’t
cry. It was not intentional”

Yara
sniffled and buried her face in her sister’s neck.

.

.

.

.

“Aww my baby....look at her” Arnav
cooed as he took his one day old daughter in his arms. The baby had opened her
eyes and was looking around clueless.

“Soooo cute” Esha whispered as she
caressed her sister’s cheeks. Arnav sat on the green recliner with Esha and
Varun on his either sides craning their necks to see the baby.

“She is looking at me” Varun
whispered and leaned to the baby.

As the boy leaned to her, the baby
started wailing.

“Varun” Esha chided and pushed back
the boy, “You made her cry” she scolded.

“Still.....you made her cry” Esha
huffed in anger, “You made my sister cry!”

Varun shrunk back to Arnav and hid
behind him while Esha stood glaring at her brother.

Arnav laughed and continued rocking
the baby. “Esha, even you made Varun cry when he was a baby!”

Varun peeped from Arnav’s shoulder
and said, “See, Esha di is also bad!”

Esha bit her lip and looked down.
She then looked up and cried, “No. I didn’t make him cry”

“You did” Arnav said and leaned
down to kiss the baby. He started whispering nothings to her ear and rocked her
in his arms. He looked up and said, “You patted his cheeks for him to wake up
and he started crying out loud!”

Varun gasped and Esha looked down.

“Esha di...you’re evil” he gasped
and huffed.

Esha looked down. Her eyes started
brimming and she said, “Sorry Varun”

“Haww baby is happy” Varun said
happily and Esha looked at her sister who has now stopped crying.

“What’s happening?” a voice came
from bed and the trio looked at Khushi who sat up.

“You’re up” Arnav said smiling and
walked to her. He sat near her on the bed and Khushi leaned on him. She
caressed the baby’s cheek and Arnav asked, “Are you feeling okay? Should I call
the doctor?”

“Nah, I’m fine. A bit tired!”
Khushi murmured.

“Mamma, baby opened her eyes” Esha said
happily. Varun nodded enthusiastically. Of course they would. They were waiting
for so long for the baby to open her eyes. Why is she sleeping so much? Esha and
Varun were so much eager for her to join them to play!

Khushi smiled and looked at the
baby who was looking at her with her round eyes.

“Big eyes!” she murmured and Arnav
said, “Tum par gayi hai.....I hope she won’t have devi maiyya as her first word”

She hit his arm and he chuckled.

“What was my first word?” Varun
asked lying down on the big bed on his stomach, his elbows supporting on the
bed.

“So Yara be it then” Arnav said
smiling. Varun and Esha got off the bed and ran to the cradle. Standing on
their toes they craned their neck to the sleeping baby and whispered, “Hello Yara”

Arnav chuckled and Khushi leaned on
his smiling.

.

.

.

.

Parking
his bike and throwing his helmet away, Adil rushed into the hospital building.
Holding the reception table for balance he asked breathlessly, “Excuse me, can
you please tell me where Mrs. Serene Alexander is taken to?”

The
receptionist looked at his state and hurried to type something on her computer.
“She is in the operation theatre 3 in the 1st floor”

Without
saying thank you he ran to the stairs and climbed them in a go.

“Ana”
he cried seeing his sister sitting in tears in front of the operation theatre.

Ana
looked up and ran to her brother. Hugging him tight she burst into tears. “What
happened to mamma?” he asked in quivering voice.

“She.....slipped
from stairs....she hit her back of neck on the steps...doctors......doctors
said it’s critical” Ana said in between of sobs.

The
Operation Theatre opened and Adil sprang up. The doctor walked out to Ana and
he asked, “How is she doctor?”

“You
are?”

“My
brother” Ana said crying, “How is mamma?”

“I’m
sorry” the doctor said with fallen face. He held Adil’s hand and said, “She had
hit her neck very badly! We couldn’t save her.”

Ana
screamed and slumped on to the floor. The doctor patted his arm and walked
away. Adil stood rooted, his limbs feeling numb.

We’re Family (By Archanasuresh) (Thanked: 81 times)

We’re Family

“Adi
beta” the man in his fifties said, “Is Ana ready? We need to leave”

Adil
looked up from where he was sitting on the floor and then looked to his left
when Ana was sitting, leaning on Varun.

The
man kneeled to him and whispered, “Is that the Hindu guy your sister is getting
married to?”

Adil
looked at him and he said, “I had told Serene to reject the proposal! They are
hindus!”

“Stop
it uncle” Adil hissed, “Can you save it for another day?”

His
uncle scoffed and said, “Your mother never listens to anyone. She eloped and
married your father. That was fine since he was a Christian himself but
this.....a hindu guy and look how they are sitting! People are looking!”

“I
will!” Ana whispered and hugged him tight, “No matter how much I love Varun,
you stand above that love! You’re my brother! Even if years pass by and I’ve
grandchildren, I will always be your little sister!”

Adil
smiled in tears and kissed her hair.

.

.

.

.

“Have
they left?”

Ana
looked up from where she was sitting in the dining table, hearing their uncle’s
voice.

“Who?”

“Raizadas”
he said.

“Yeah”
Ana said

He
looked around and said, “Ah so have the other guests! So it’s family now!” he
said pointing to his wife and children sitting who were sitting and watching TV
in the couch.

Adil
walked to the dining table with an angry face. “Can you keep the volume down!”
he shouted at his aunt.

His
aunt stood up and was about to say something when Adil said, “You’ve watched
enough for today! When you leave I need you to pay my electricity bill!”

“You
brat!” his uncle screamed and Adil said, “You people never ever loved us. When
mom was alive you guys never visited. I know why you are here. You want the
property she has earned! She doesn’t have a single penny from her parents or
family. Everything that’s under her name is solely hers and thereafter her
children’s. So it would be nice if you leave from our property since you aren’t
gonna get any!”

His
uncle and aunt glared at him and his sister.

“It’s
your doom!” his uncle sneered, “Your sister is marrying that hindu guy. You
guys consider those people as your family! They aren’t your family!”

“And
so are you guys” Adil shouted, “We don’t need a family because me and my sister
are not alone! We have each other and we have our parents looking after us from
where they are. We’re a family and I won’t have anyone messing up with it!”

Ana
nodded and said clutching her brother’s arm, “I love Varun and I consider his people
as mine too. But if I had to choose between Varun and my brother, it will always
be my brother! Me, bhai, mamma and papa; We’re
Family.”

“No, no....it was a week after
Yara’s birth. Me, dad, mom and Yara were home. Others had gone out for some
function. Yara fell ill and dad took her to hospital. Mamma was weak after
delivery so she didn’t accompany them. So I stayed with her.”

“Then?”

“I went to get her a glass of
water. When I came back I saw a man killing her”

Adil
gasped and Esha said in her hoarse voice, “I
was scared. I didn’t know what to do. I hid behind the door and clamped my
mouth shut and watched her die.”

“Who
was he?”

“Bua’s ex husband. He was a bad
man. He lusted over my mother when dad and mom got married. There is a big
story behind it I think. We never talk about it anymore!”

Adil
sighed and she said, “I watched
her....dying....that **** he raped her and stabbed her to death....and I couldn’t
do anything!”

“You
were a child” he said softly.

“I could’ve done something! I could’ve
hit him with a vase or dialled dad or police or did something....but I didn’t!
Indirectly I killed her” she cried.

He
kept mum and waited for her to calm down.

She
sniffled her tears and said, “You know
what Adil, we both are on same boat. Both of us have a sister to look after!”

“You
have a big family” he said.

“So do you! You’re a part of
Raizada family since the moment we accepted Ana”

He
smiled and said, “Thank you Esha”

“Waise”
he asked, “Was Ana not picking up the cell the only reason why you called me?”

“Yeah”
she said hurriedly, “She wasn’t picking
up....so...where is Ana? Give the phone to her!”

A
smirk formed in his lips and he said, “Ana is sleeping. And she has a loud
blasting ringtone that every time it rings the whole house hears it! So there
is no chance that she didn’t pick up! You didn’t call her right?”

“Err....yeah...”

“You
called me right? You didn’t call Ana....you called me....” he said like a
child.

“Yeah I called you because.....work....yeah
I needed to talk about Mehta deal!”

“Really?
Just hours after my mother’s death you called me to discuss about Mehta file? Either
you’re making up excuses or you’re heartless Ms. Raizada!” he said lying down
on his bed. He crossed his arm under his head and smirked.

“I’m heartless” Esha
retorted.

“Oh
I see!” Adil sang.

“I’m sleepy. Bye” she said.

“Wait....wait....”

“What?”

“Thank
you Esha” he said softly.

She
said nothing but cut the call.

Adil
smiled and kept the phone on the bedside table. Taking a deep breath he said
smiling, “She isn’t that bad”

.

.

.

.

.

“When
are you leaving?” Adil asked his uncle as he walked into the dining room
dressed in a dark blue shirt and black jeans, his sling bag over his shoulder.

“Afternoon.
Where are you going dressed up like that?” uncle asked narrowing his eyes.

“Office.
I want you to leave in half an hour” Adil said and sat down in the chair. “Ana”
he called out.

“Coming!”
Ana cried and walked to him with a plate. She sat next to him and served her
brother hot poori and curry.

Uncle
narrowed his eyes at Ana who was dressed in a kurti and an ID card around her
neck.

“Both
of you are going to work?” he asked shocked.

Ana
nodded.

“Just
a day after your mother’s death?” he cried.

Adil
nodded.

“We
want to lock the house. So please leave before we leave for office” Ana said
and started eating.

“Don’t
you have a bit of love towards your mother? She is dead and her children are
back to their schedule and daily routine. Don’t you feel ashamed of yourself?”
his uncle screamed.

“Aren’t
we supposed to do this?” Adil asked raising an eyebrow “Isn’t this what
everyone who came to funeral said? Get back to how it was earlier! We’re just
doing that!”

His
uncle stormed his foot and walked away.

“Leave
in half hour” Adil called out.

“FINE”
he screamed.

Ana
chuckled and looked at her brother who was smirking.

“Aunt
was gossiping this morning” Ana said and Adil looked at her. She said, “I was
cooking and she came around snooping. She said that she saw you talking with
someone late at night!”

Adil
chuckled and Ana asked, “Who was she?”

“She?”

“Yeah!”
Ana shrugged.

“How
do you know that it’s not a he?”

Ana
raised an eyebrow and Adil said, “It was Rishi! My classmate at college. He called
after hearing the news!”

“Oh....okay”
Ana mumbled and sipped down water while Adil smiled and looked away.

Day At Work (By Archanasuresh) (Thanked: 88 times)

Day At Work

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“Hey
Adil!” a man peeped into his office and Adil looked up from his desk. “Yeah
Rahul, come in!”

“Hey,
could you do me a favour please? I need mam’s signature in this document. The
problem is that this document was to be sent, with her signature in it, to Mr.
Rashid three days ago! So could you please get her sign in this?” he asked
sheepishly and forwarded a file to Adil.

Adil
rubbed the bridge of his nose and motioned to his desk. Rahul kept the file on
the desk and asked, “Heard about your mother man. Are you okay?”

“Yeah,
I’m fine. Thanks” he mumbled, “I’ll get it signed”

“You
should’ve taken a day off or something...”

“I’m
good man!” Adil cut him in.

“Okay”
Rahul nodded and walked out.

.

.

.

.

Esha
walked into the building of AR and everyone stood up greeting her. Reaching the
stairs she saw Adil standing and smiled.

“Good
morning mam. You’re late” he said following her as she climbed the stairs.

“Had
to drop Yara at her college. What’s in today’s schedule?”

“Nothing
much today. Designing unit was asked to present the latest designs which will
be done at 11 am. We’ve calendar shoot starting at 2pm. So let’s hope that the
model would be here by 12, which is impossible since Lisa is known for her
delay!” Adil said.

Esha
groaned and Adil opened the door of her cabin out of her. She walked in and
threw her bag to the desk and slumped on the chair.

“I’m
having so much trouble with this Lisa lady. She is the current supermodel but
her arrogance is way too much to handle!” she said.

Adil
cleared his throat and said, “Err I had contacted her assistant to talk about
the shoot today. Looks like they forgot about it and I had to remind them!”

“Do
one thing” Esha said rubbing her forehead, “Contact her manager, not assistant,
manager! And ask him/ her to....no actually forward the call to me!”

“Okay
mam” Adil nodded.

“And
cancel the presentation. Ask the designing team to submit the hard copy of the
designs instead of presenting it.”

Adil
nodded.

“And
yeah, Yara is having some dance competition and had asked Aman uncle to get her
a costume. It will be with him. So please make sure that the costume reaches
her at the college before 12. Send it with the driver!”

Adil
nodded and forwarded her a file. “Need your signature in this!”

Esha
took it and opened it. She took her pen and was about to sign when she frowned.

“Wasn’t
this supposed to be sent three days ago?” she asked raising her voice.

“Yes,
according to accounts department” Adil said nodding.

“And
why is it still in my table? And why are you coming to me with this? This is to
done by the accounts team!” she asked angrily.

“Err...I
took it to get your sign. I’m your assistant” Adil stammered.

She
took the phone and shouted, “Send Swathi in!”

“Mam
I....” Adil began when she showed her palm. Seconds later the door was knocked
and Esha cried, “Come in”

A
woman in her thirties walked in. “Yes mam” she said slowly.

“What’s
your post here Mrs. Swathi Surendran?”

“Accounts
head mam” Swathi said.

“Did
I or didn’t I ask you to send this file?” she asked lifting the file in her
hand. Swathi nodded.

“DID
I OR DIDN’T I?”

“You
did”

“When
did I ask you to submit this?” Esha asked angrily.

The
woman looked down and Adil looked at her tight lipped.

“ANSWER
ME DAMMIT!” Esha screamed and both Adil and Swathi flinched.

“Three
days ago mam” Swathi said tears forming in her eyes.

“And
why the **** is this file still here on my table?”

“Mam
I was on leave for the past three days. I had forwarded your mail, in which you
have asked me to send the file, to my secretary Mr. Rahul Bose. He didn’t do
the job. It’s not my fault” Swathi said in tears.

Esha
scoffed and took the phone. “Mr. Rahul Bose in my cabin within 1 minute!” and
she slammed the phone down.

“Stop
crying dammit!” Esha shouted, “Don’t you have a bit of common sense in you? You
forwarded the mail to your secretary and that’s it? Your job is over? You are
the accounts head and it was your responsibility to make sure that your
secretary did the job you asked him to do!”

Swathi
looked down and the door was knocked. “Come in” Adil said and Rahul walked in.
He looked at Adil who shook his head sympathetically.

“Mr.
Rahul Bose, did your boss Mrs. Surendran ask you to get my signature in this
file, three days ago?” Esha asked showing the file.

“Yes
mam” Rahul said slowly.

“And
did you get my signature in this?” Esha asked raising her eyebrow.

Rahul
looked down.

“I’m
giving you a minute to explain your stand or else you’re fired!” Esha said and
took her pen. She signed the file and forwarded it to Adil who took it. “Mr.
Alexander” she said, “I want you to personally drop this file to SBI manager at
city branch. And please convey my apologies for the delay” Adil nodded and
stepped back.

“Now,”
Esha turned to Rahul who said, “Mam I was busy with the accounts....Swathi mam
was on leave and I had to manage....”

“I
did not ask you to make excuse. I asked the reason why you didn’t do the job me
and your boss asked you to!” Esha said leaning back on her chair.

“I...forgot....”
Rahul stammered.

Esha
took a deep breath and looked at Swathi who was in tears. She said, “You people
are from accounts. And you know what that file is. It is to be sent to the bank
manager. Don’t you have a bit of common sense to realize that any document
related to banking is important?”

Both
accounts people looked down and Esha screamed, “NOW LOOK AT ME WHEN I’M
SPEAKING! ANSWER ME. DON’T YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT BANKING DOCUMENTS ARE?”

“Yes
mam” they said slowly.

“WHEN
I ASK YOU TO SUBMIT SOMETHING, TO SEND SOMETHING, TO DO SOMETHING...WHEN I PUT
A DEADLINE THERE IS A REASON BEHIND THAT! IT’S NOT LIKE I LOVE TO MAKE YOU PEOPLE
WORK HARD BUT I CAN’T HELP IT. I NEED SOME WORKS TO BE DONE WITHIN AN INTERVAL.
I NEED THINGS TO BE SUBMITTED BEFORE A DEADLINE! AND YOU PEOPLE CAN’T EVEN
SUBMIT A VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT, AND THAT TOO RELATED TO BANKING, DONE BEFORE
A DAY. AND THERE WASN’T MUCH TO DO IN IT. YOU JUST HAD TO CLIMB FEW STEPS TO GET
MY SIGNATURE.” She screamed.

She
looked at Adil and asked, “Who gave you this file today and asked you to get my
sign?”

Adil
looked at Rahul who looked down.

“Mr.
Bose” Esha called and Rahul looked up, “YOU’RE FIRED!”

“Mam...please....”

“Adil
prepare his termination letter” she said and Adil looked at Rahul feeling sorry
for him.

“Get
out both of you and Mrs. Surendran, there won’t be another chance!” she said.

“OUT!”
she screamed and Rahul looked at Adil. Adil motioned towards the door.

Rahul
walked away and Adil looked at Esha. “Please don’t fire him. It’s hard to get a
job these days” he said.

Esha
looked at him angrily and he looked down.

“Now
you listen to me” she said angrily and he looked up, “You’re my PA. You might
have some files which needs my signature. Yes, that’s your job. But not every
file should be taken to me by you! This was their job and you didn’t have to do
that. It was not your place!”

“Err...I
thought I have to take your files and....”

“That’s
what I said. Not everything is to be done by you. You do what I ask you to do!
If I ask you to send something to a person, you come to me to get my signature.
But when I ask the accounts department to send a file to bank it’s their job to
get my sign in it! I did not ask you to come to me with that file, did I?”

“No”
he said.

“Don’t
do what others ask you to do” Esha said firmly, “You’re new at the job and Mr.
Bose was taking advantage of your. It shouldn’t happen again!”

He
nodded.

“And
giving him another chance is not gonna happen!” Esha said angrily, “Mrs.
Surendran was sick and was on leave. So it’s natural for her to forget! But Mr.
Bose? I cannot have such an irresponsible person handling the accounts of my
company!”

“Now
please submit this at the bank personally. I cannot trust those idiots with
this anymore!” Esha said.

Adil
nodded and said, “Anything else?”

“Nah”
Esha nodded no and opened her laptop.

Adil
nodded and turned to walk away when Esha called him.

He
turned and she asked softly, “How are you? Are you okay?”

He
chuckled and said, “I’m fine. You really don’t have to ask me this every time
we meet!”

Esha
smiled sheepishly and he said, “Coming to work takes my mind off other things. So
I prefer not be reminded that my mother was buried yesterday”

A Heated Conference Room (By Archanasuresh) (Thanked: 88 times)

A Heated Conference Room

Employees
at AR were having a good time gossiping, since Esha is in conference room,
until the main door opened for their former boss ASR. Everyone scrambled back
to their places and Arnav narrowed his eyes.

“Is
it break time?” he asked angrily and looked at the clock which clearly said
that it’s not break.

Everyone
looked down not daring to look up to his eyes. Arnav walked to the reception
and asked, “Is Esha up there?”

“Mam
is in the conference room” the receptionist said politely. Arnav nodded and
walked up the stairs to his old cabin, which is now his daughter’s cabin.

“Hello
ASR” Aman greeted him and led him to the cabin.

“How
are you man?” Arnav asked smiling.

“Not
good! Ana and Varun cancelled their engagement and I had to call every person I
engaged for the day to cancel the work. Heard an earful!” he said shaking his
head.

Arnav
chuckled and Aman said plopping on the couch, “I’m having a headache.
Supermodel Lisa won’t come for the shoot!”

“We
have a shoot today?” Arnav asked and Aman nodded. “I’ve absolutely zero how to
present this before Esha. Plus I have to find a new model!” he said.

Arnav
chuckled and said, “You’ll never be at peace unless you leave AR!”

Aman
laughed and said, “That’s true! Raizada generations have specialized in
troubling Aman Mathur!” he stood up and said, “Lemme go and fix the model
issue!”

Arnav
nodded and Aman walked away. Arnav walked around the cabin and stopped at the
chair he used to sit for almost 40 to 45 years. And today, his daughter owns
it!

Who
said that daughters aren’t equal to sons and can’t inherit the family business?
When business magnets of Arnav’s age entrusted their business to their sons and
son-in-laws, the world was shocked when the great ASR announced his resignation
and handed over his seat to his eldest daughter. People began to gossip. Media
started to worry. Will Esha Singh Raizada be able to look after her father’s
empire like he did? Many laughed at him for his ‘foolishness’. His rivals were
elated to find that ASR is gone. AR is doomed, people decided. New fashion
houses were introduced and each and every person in India started to give a try
in fashion designing. Why not? After all ASR is out of field.

But
everyone forgot that lions cannot have only cubs, not kittens. If ASR was a
lion, so was his daughter! AR was silent for the first few months after Esha
took up. Everyone celebrated the end of an era. But if only they knew that it
was the silence before storm. The first fashion show Esha held after taking up
the business was the most successful show AR had ever aired. Shocking the
entire world, grabbing their attention, Esha Singh Raizada gave birth to a new
fashion era.

.

.

.

.

“Thank
you Ms. Raizada” the clients shook her hands and walked out of the room.

Esha
stood up from the chair and stretched her arms. Adil looked at her and then
resumed collecting the documents and arranging them in his file.

“What
do we have next in line?” she asked rubbing her eyes. He looked up and said,
“We just have the calendar shoot. Aman sir said he would look into the model’s
arrival and stuff”

Esha
nodded and rubbed her eyes again. Adil looked at her tired face which was red
due to all the rubbing.

“Are
you okay?” he said.

“Nah
I’m fine! A bit tired!” she whispered and sat down on the chair, leaning her
head back on it.

He
walked to frowning, “Esh....Mam should I get you something?”

“I’m
fine” she snapped, “Just a small itching!” she said moving her fist to rub her
eyes again when he caught it.

She
looked at him surprised and he said, “Don’t rub your eyes. Wash it!”

“It’s
fine Adil” she said and tried to free her hand but he held it firm. She shrunk
back into her seat when he leaned down to her ear level. Lifting his other hand
he moved it towards her eyes and she tilted her head sideways.

“Let
me see Esha” he whispered softly and she looked at him. His hold on her hand
loosened and she let it fall on the arm rest. Raising his hands, he moved it to
her eyes and held it wide open. She sucked in breath when he leaned closer and
blew into her eye.

A
gasp escaped her when he clutched her wrist which was on the arm rest for a
support. With his other hand he still kept her eye open and blew once again,
this time harder.

“Okay?”
he asked softly and looked at her.

She
looked at him. He was so close to her that her eyes directly met his. “Yes” she
said in a whisper.

He
looked at her face and then locked his eyes at hers. “Did I ever tell you that
you’re beautiful?” he whispered and leaned a bit closer.

Her
fingers clutched the arm rest and her mouth opened and closed like a fish. “Did
I?” he asked again, his fingers now caressing her cheeks.

“No”
she whispered and closed her eyes as he moved his fingers down her cheeks to
her neck. She gasped and arched her neck back when he slid his hand through the
side of neck, his thumb tracing her jaw line.

Holding
her wrist, along with the armrest, for support he leaned and dipped his head to
her jaw line placing small kisses there.

“Adi”
she whispered and tilted her head giving him more access.

He
shrank back and whispered, chuckling, “What did you call me?”

She
opened her eyes and looked at his eyes which were now dark with passion.

“Adi”
she whispered.

“Adi”
he whispered, “I like that” he chuckled and bend down nuzzling his nose on the
crook of her neck when....

A
sudden knock on the door made Adil jump on his skin and step back. Esha gasped
and sat up straight on her chair and looked at Adil shocked.

The
door opened and Adil’s secretary peeped in. “Sir...mam, Aman sir was asking for
you!”

Adil
looked at her and nodded. The girl, his secretary, looked at him and then at
their boss who sat with her head dipped down and hands clutching the table.

“What
are you looking at? Go” Adil said sternly and the girl sprinted away.

Esha
opened her mouth wide and tried taking maximum air in as her fingers clutched
the table before her. She dipped her head down and gulped, her breathless gasps
filling the room.

Adil
ran his hand through his messy hair and cursed himself. What’s wrong with you Adil?
He asked to himself. What have you done?

“Esha....”
he whispered and took a step forward.

Esha
looked up. He stepped backward seeing her furious eyes, which had left her for
the past two days.

“Out”
she hissed.

“Listen
to me...I....”

“I
SAID GET OUT!” she screamed at the top of her voice, the loudest Adil have ever
heard her use.

They
heard a click and Yara opened the door. Esha looked at her sister in shock,
finding her in a state she never thought she would see. Her hair was messy,
eyes were red, tear strained cheeks but what caught her eyes was her bleeding
lips and red cheeks.

“Yara”
Arnav wrapped an arm around his daughter, “What happened? Who did this to you?”

Yara
burst into tears and said, “Rishi”

“Rishi?
Who is Rishi?” Esha asked. They took Yara inside the room and made her sit on
the bed. The whole family followed them and crowded the room.

Yara
buried her face in her father’s chest and burst into tears. Arnav looked at
others and said, “I’ll talk to her!”

Everyone
nodded and slowly walked out of the room but not Esha.

“Esha”
Arnav sighed, “Leave”

“No”
she said stubbornly, shaking her head, “I wanna know why my sister is crying
and who hurt her”

“Esha”
Arnav called out sternly, “Let me talk to her. Leave!”

Esha
sighed and walked out.

Arnav
patted Yara’s back and said softly, “Now tell me. Who is Rishi and what did he
do?”

Yara
sat up straight and said hiccupping, “Rishi is my senior at college. He...they
have a gang or something...he is the leader and everybody is scared of him.”

Arnav
nodded, “Okay. What did he do?”

“He
was following me for a while. Last week he asked me to come to his house....for
a night....” she stopped sobbing and then whispered, “I said no and then he
started spreading rumours about me everywhere. Today, when I went to
library....I was alone there and....he...he...” she burst out crying and Arnav
hugged her sideways.

“What
did he do?” Arnav asked shutting his eyes tight. His blood was boiling and he
just wanted to beat the hell out of this boy named Rishi!

“He
tried to....molest me. I screamed and he slapped me. Some students came by and
they rescued me” Yara said slowly resting her face on her father’s shoulder.

“Why
didn’t you tell us earlier that he was following you” Arnav asked slowly.

“Yeah
so this guy named...” Aman began but stopped when the door was knocked.

“Who
is it?” Arnav shouted irritated.

Adil
peeked in head in and said, “Sorry to disturb you sir but Ms. Raizada has a
meeting with the London clients in five minutes”

“You
take my place. Get help from Samantha, the design head” Esha ordered.

“Me?”
Adil asked shocked opening the door wide.

“Yes
you. Now get out” she shouted and he scurried outside.

Aman
opened the file. “So about Rishi. His full name is...don’t get
alarmed....Rishikesh Manohar Jha!” Aman said and paused looking at his bosses’
reaction.

“WHAT?”
Arnav and Esha screamed.

“Do
you remember ASR, years back, when we enquired about Shyam we got to know about
his son?” Aman asked.

“Yeah
we never found him!”

“This
is him. In the official college records his name is Rishikesh Manohar....Jha is
omitted. But when we go deep his exact full name is clear. Son of Shyam Manohar
Jha!”

“So....Anjali
bua’s son...our cousin?” Esha asked disgusted.

“No.
Not her son” Arnav said and Aman nodded. “Shyam had another wife. Anjali was
his third wife” he looked at Arnav who had his curled fist.

“Yara
was right ASR” Aman said turning the page in the file, “He was arrested at the
age of 13 for murdering his father, that’s Shyam”

“Shyam
Manohar Jha died when I was eight years old” Esha muttered, “If he was 13 right
then, he must be 32 now! And Yara is 21! How come he became her senior?”

“He
has influences!” Aman said, “He joined the college when Yara joined as 1st
year, that’s three years back.”

“So
he was following her for three years” Esha said alarmed.

Arnav
nodded gritting his teeth, “What else Aman?”

Aman
took a deep breath and said, “Rishikesh Manohar Jha. His mother died giving
birth to him and his only relation was his mother’s mother and Shyam. He was
looked after by his grandmother and Shyam used to visit him every week. Grandmother
died when the boy was one year old and Shyam got him admitted into a orphanage.
He used to visit him once in a month. It all happened even before you met
Khushi mam. Then Khushi mam came into spotlight. When you realized his true
colour and kicked him out, he went to his small house and brought his son from
orphanage. After you got him arrested, he came out with the help of his lawyer
friends and stayed low with his son. All this while, I think, he was feeding
lies and hatred about Raizadas to his son.

Then
Esha was born. Rishikesh was five years old then. And then six years later came
Yara. Shyam had ra....murdered Khushi mam a week after Yara’s birth. That’s
when Esha was 6 and Rishikesh was 11. Shyam escaped the law pursuit because our
lawyers were unable to tackle him and....” Aman stopped seeing Arnav’s face.

He
looked at Esha who was glancing at her father. She knew it was a sensitive
topic. Even though Shyam is dead, she knew that her father regretted that he
couldn’t kill him with his own hands. They had hired the best lawyer of the country
to fight the case but they forgot that Shyam was one of the best criminal
lawyers in the country. He easily twisted the facts and created alibis. And
thus he walked out free! Free after raping and killing a woman, he walked out
FREE!

“He
had stayed low after that” Aman said slowly, “Shifted to Lucknow. Changed his
name, identity everything. Got his son admitted to a school in the name
Rishikesh Manohar. And two years later, Rishikesh shot his father to death,
reason unknown. The boy was taken to juvenile court and he walked out free five
years ago, thats when he was 27.”

“His
father destroyed my life” Arnav whispered furiously, “And now he is set off to
ruin my daughter’s life! I’ll kill him! I couldn’t kill his father which I’ll
regret for a life time. I’ll balance that regret by killing him!”

Aman
glanced at Esha worriedly but found her in the same expression. Aman sighed.
Raizadas when sworn revenge is hard to deal! He remember how ASR was when he
saw Shyam walking out free.

“Relax.
We’ll deal with this” he said softly in an attempt to calm down the
father-daughter.

Aman
frowned and Arnav said, “That Jha. After knowing what his father did to my
wife, he shouldn’t have set off to hurt my daughter. He should’ve remembered
that her father is Arnav Singh Raizada!” and he walked out.

“I
didn’t tell him something” Aman mumbled.

“What?”
Esha asked.

“Don’t
overreact. I don’t know if it’s relevant but...”

“Come
to the point” Esha snapped.

“Rishikesh
doesn’t have much friends. He has connections, influence but friends....he has
only one.” Aman said carefully.

“Who?”

“Adil
Alexander” Aman said slowly and looked at Esha who looked at him shocked.

“Don’t.
Don’t react. Relax” Aman said hurriedly seeing Esha’s temper rising, “I don’t
know if it’s relevant Esha. But Adil is the only friend he made in Delhi”

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